How Greater Cleveland Film Commission went all out for “Avengers”

When Marvel Studios needed a new place to shoot “The Avengers,” the film’s executive producer contacted the Greater Cleveland Film Commission. It was requested that the commission’s president, Ivan Schwarz, be in Los Angeles the next morning to discuss moving production from Michigan to Cleveland.

The fact that Ohio had a motion picture tax credit was a plus, but 37 other states had one too. It was Schwarz’s willingness to go to California on such short notice and his and his team’s ability to make things happen quickly that ultimately brought the film production to Cleveland.

Calls were made to governmental entities to ensure that the production crew would have its needs met completely. The commission operates with the goal of bringing economic development to Northeast Ohio, not A-list celebrities. Everyone at the commission works to ensure that work on the film can be done with minimal interruptions and as costs effectively as possible.

A software program is used to create custom location packages when production requests and opportunities present themselves.

Production on “The Avengers” resulted in $40 million spent in Northeast Ohio as businesses from coffee shops to lumber companies felt the impact.

How to reach: Greater Cleveland Film Commission, (216) 623-3910 or www.clevelandfilm.com